MEXICO – Students in the Career and Technical Education Nursing Assistant and New Vision Allied Health programs got a first-hand look this month at the organization and protocols involved with a large-scale public health event as part of the CiTi – American Red Cross blood drive.
Dozens of students, faculty and staff signed up to donate blood for the event, held on February 8 at the CiTi Mexico Campus and CNA students were on hand every step of the way to guide volunteers through the process.
“We’re just in the background, they’re running the show,” said Emeline McShane, RN, who instructs future nurses in the CNA program.
Students processed donors with a check-in station and qualification review, escorted donors to the American Red Cross Mobile Donation Unit, took pulse rate readings and were on the lookout for the signs and symptoms of lightheadedness and dizziness that is sometimes associated with blood donation.
“Everything is a teachable moment,” said Julie Warren, RN. “They’re not just collecting blood, they’re learning about organizing, making appointments and doing it from a service perspective.”
“It keeps the students humble and teaches them the importance of giving back,” Warren added.
Blood drive organizers said the goal was to collect 20 units of blood, each of which can be used to aid up to four people in need.
“Any unit we get is a good day,” said Warren.
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